Basic Spanish

The reference levels for teaching and learning Spanish established by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1-A-2, B1-B2, C1-C2) describes the capacities that a person has in a certain level of command of Spanish, according to what a learners reading, listening, speaking and writing skills are at each level.

In each stage CEFRL describes general objectives that the students of Spanish as a second language should accomplish in order to be promoted to the next level. In addition there are several specific objectives described in each level connected to Spanish grammar, Spanish pronunciation, basic Spanish vocabulary, as well as several cultural and functional aspects.

Students who are in the upper stage (A2) of the Beginning level can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They can also interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

From the perspective of multiculturalism, A2 students are taught to understand the new culture and basic information regarding the most significant cultural aspects of Spain and Latin America. Moreover, A2 students are able to assimilate the values and attitudes of Spanish society.

Basic Spanish for Children

Spanish courses focused on children have to take into account that the best way to teach Spanish to children is through play, better than through Spanish language books. Using games to learn Spanish, the Spanish teacher will reinforce kids’ self-esteem and get them to learn Spanish easy and very quickly.

This article reviews the desirable requirements that should fulfill Spanish classes for children and suggests a set of resources, exercises and games to learn Spanish for free.

1. The material used to teach Spanish for kids should meet the following criteria:

• The techniques used in the process of language learning should achieve a high degree of motivation. Therefore, our activities should be based on topics closer to the children.
• It is important to consider both the physical and the mental age of our students in order to learn what they can demand and suggest them appropriate games to practice pronunciation, grammar, Spanish phrases, conversation, and basic vocabulary in Spanish. Therefore you can also have a look on our pages. Category: Learn Spanish
• No one learns to speak Spanish without listening to the language, or learns to write without learning to read previously. Therefore, it is essential that we teach the skills in the right sequence.

2. Resources:

• Children's stories in Spanish
  
  • Cuentos para chicos
  • Cuentos para dormir
  • Cuentos Infantiles
• Spanish songs’ lyrics
  
  • MONTES DE OCA MARSHALL, A., Spanish Songs, Sinclair Community College
    
    • Montes de Oca
  • SHIVERS, D., Juegos y canciones para los niños, Hall Elementary School, Oregon
    
    • Spanish games and songs
• Games
  
  • The Instituto Cervantes has interactive materials to learn vocabulary through play. These materials are designed for children from 7 to 9 years old.
    
    • Cervantes Spanish Games
  • There are also resources in Spanish at:
    
    • Spanish word games
    • Spanish games for children
• Learning Spanish cd, mp3, DVD
• In Kideos. Videos for kids, you can find trailers, short animated films and educational videos. Although the content is mostly in English, there is a Spanish section in which we can browse for children's videos to learn Spanish and dubbing episodes of Pocoyó, Manny Manitas, the Little Mermaid, etc. http://www.kideos.com/

Or you can also check our languages resources on Spanish Multimedia.

• Bit of intelligence flashcard
  
  • The flashcards designed by Glenn Doman is a method of early childhood learning that takes advantage of the capacity and curiosity of children to learn quickly. Through an image, sound or word the child achieves the desired knowledge. The effectiveness of this method is proved in the teaching of Spanish to foreigners.

You can find free bits to learn Spanish dealing with different topics on the web: Spanish alphabet, basic Spanish vocabulary, Spanish phrases. Or you can check our free or paid Spanish Online courses on Spanish Online.